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Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity however, it can also be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident, victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim will include the need for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are weighed in determining whether negligence occurred. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could open them up to civil litigation for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathways to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident, the family can sue on their behalf for damages, including lost companionship, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. Families can also recover money for past medical bills and future treatment costs.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining whether you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident. A personal injury attorney can look over your insurance policy and the policies on boat liability of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there are other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer or the part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated), lost income due to time missed from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Serious injuries include back and neck injuries and brain traumas, as well as broken bones, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents often involve multiple people who could bear legal responsibility for a collision, including the boat's operator, any other passengers on board at the time of the incident, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, as well as the manufacturers of the boats and their parts or engines, and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn people of danger conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the rules and regulations of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who may be liable for a crash.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are able to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Families of injured maritime workers as well as relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather in the beginning stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine liability and determine the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses also can provide valuable evidence to support your claim.

Medical records are critical for establishing the extent of your injuries as well as the associated damages. These records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You'll need to document the changes in your income and capacity to work, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically linked to spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by oxygen deprivation, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or side of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries result from mechanical issues like electrical or engine problems as well as steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately after a boating accident however, you shouldn't make an account to an insurance adjuster or another party without first consulting a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights and ensure that you are compensated in a fair manner for damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation following a boat accident lawsuit accident involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are liable. It is standard to provide evidence in support of claims for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment and other expenses arising from the accident, including lost income from missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some instances the manufacturer of a boat accident lawsuits or one of its components could be held accountable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively created or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances it's not only the operator of a vessel who is liable for a crash. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, particularly if the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or when a person who is not fit to operate a boat is allowed on their property.